Life for former Catholic Church nuns who leave their order is usually full of poverty, mental and physical ill health and social isolation. In spite of decades of unpaid, dedicated community work, nuns leave their orders and re-enter the world with little financial or emotional support. A new report uncovers systemic issues of neglect by the Church, and highlights a lack of consistent policy to deal with departing members.

The government will hold talks with the Greens, Independent South Australian Senator Nick Xenophon and Family First Senator Steve Fielding on their views of the Fair Work Australia bill today. Debate is expected to start in the Senate tomorrow. The Opposition will finalise its position on the bill early in the week.

Many feel that the global economic crisis has left a question mark over America's future status as world leader. But George Friedman, forecaster and intelligence analyst believes that we're on the brink of a new era in American power and that the US will continue to dominate, not just throughout the next century, but for the next 500 years.